In this ASCO, T-DM1 which is that DM1 is connected with trastzumab (Herceptin) showed the good result in clinical trial.
T-DM1 is usually called as trastuzumab emtansine.
In this trial, T-DM1 was treated to the HER2 positive breast cancer patients who have been received the capecitabine (Xeloda) and lapatinib (Tykerb).
Then, T-DM1 treated subgroup was compared with another subgroup treated with the combination with Xeloda and Tykerb.
Looking at the tumor progression, T-DM1 was better than combination therapy.
The median progression free survival of T-DM1 is two months longer than that of this combination therapy.
Moreover, the adverse effects on T-DM1 is weaker than this combination therapy.
HER2-positive breast cancer shows rapid cancer growth and the wrong prognosis.
So, we carefully manage the cancer treatment and it is better to attack this cancer by strong drugs.
On the other hand, the adverse effect is big problem to continue the treatment for the patients.
If T-DM1 would be effective and show a mild adverse effects, this will definitely become the best molecular targeted drug for the HER2-positive breast cancer patients.
For Some Breast Cancers, New Drug May Be Treatment Option
http://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/061212/page3
Results from an international clinical trial suggest that women with metastatic, HER2-positive breast cancer that is no longer responding to the targeted therapy trastuzumab (Herceptin) may soon have a new treatment option.
Women who received the investigational drug trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) lived more than 3 months longer without their tumors progressing than women who received the chemotherapy drug capecitabine (Xeloda) and the targeted drug lapatinib (Tykerb). With one exception, T-DM1 also had far fewer serious side effects than the capecitabine-lapatinib combination, the trial’s leaders reported last week at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting Exit Disclaimer.
